Sofa bed



Feb. 3. l 925.

W. L. MURPHY SOFA BED 920 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 dllarrz e59,

Filed May 20; 1

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Patented Feb. 3, 1925.

TES

WILLIAD'I L. MURPHY, OF SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA. ASSIGNOR, BY MESNEAS- SIGNIVIENTS, TO MURPHY DOOR. BED COE/IPANY, 015 SAN FRANCISCO,CALIFORNIA, A COPARTNERSHIP FIRM CONSISTING OF VTILLIAM L. MURPHY ANDWILLIAM K.

WHITE.

SOFA BED.

Application filed May 20, 1920.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, lVILLrAM L. MURPHY, a citizen of the United States,and a resident of the city and county of San Francisco, State ofCalifornia, have invented a new and useful Sofa Bed, of which thefollowing is a specification.

My invention relates to folding beds and particularly to that class ofbeds which are adapted to be converted into sofas.

An object of my invention is to provide a bed with wire'and upholsteredmattresses, all of standard size, which is capable of being convertedinto a sofa by folding.

Another object of my invention is to provide a sofa bed in which areincluded automatically extended legs for supporting the foot end of theunfolded bed. Another object of my invention is the provision of astructure of the character described embodying a relatively high headboard which in the sofa form of the device extends across the bcttom ofthe housing structure.

Another object of the invention is to provide a structure of the classdescribed which is unfolded into a standard bed in a single movement.

Another object of the invention is to provide a structure of the classdescribed in which a three-part bed frame is folded into a space notmaterially longer than the width of the frame.

The invention possesses other features of advantage, some of which, withthe foregoing, will be set forth in the following description of thepreferred form of my in vention which is illustrated in the drawingsaccompanying and forming part of the specification. It is to beunderstood that I do not limit myself to the showing made by the saiddrawings and description, as I may adopt variations of the preferredform with in the scope ofmy invention as set forth in the claims.

Referring to the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a plan view of the device of my invention when unfolded intothe bed form, a portion being broken away to lessen the width of thefigure; and Fig. 2 is a side elevation of the same, showing a mattresson the bed frame. Fig. 3 is a vertical section Serial No. 382,717.

through the structure when folded into the sofa form. Figs. 4' and 5 areperspective views of details of the structure.

Broadly, my invention comprises a sofa in which a three-part bed frameis arranged below and behind the seat and back of the sofa in such a waythat with a single, easily controlled movement, the bed frame is turnedoutwardly to extended horizontal position. The manner of arranging theparts permits a standard thickness upholstered mattress to be mounted onthe wire fabric spring carried by the bed frame. while retaining anormal size of sofa structure. Preferably the proportions andarrangements are such that the width of the bed structure when extended,is the same as the length of the sofa. This makes it unnecessary toprovide a sofa as long as a standard bed and is one of the advantagespossessed by my invention.

Referring first to Figs. 2 and 3 a housing structure 2 is provided inwhich the sofa bed of my invention is arranged. the housing structurecomprises a box 3, on each end of which is fixed a frame comprised ofthe vertical posts 4 and 5 and the link 6 connecting the two posts andextending forwardly of the front post 4. A seat frame 7 provided with asuitably upholstored seat 8 is pivoted to the front ends of the crosslinks 6 by pivot pins 9. The seat frame 7 is adapted to turn upwardlyand outwardly about the pivots 9 to a substantially horizontal invertedposition as shown in Fig. 2. A three-part bed frame is provided,comprising a main frame, and foot and head frames. The foot frame 10 ispivoted to the seat frame 7, at each side, the pivots 11 connecting theextension arms 12 fixed on each end of the seat frame to ex tension arms13 fixed to the foot frame 10 at opposite sides. Normally as shown inFig. 3, this frame 10 is in an upright position. Attached by the pivots14 to the inner or lower end of the frame 10 is the main bed frame 16.The frame 16 is also provided on each side with an extension arm 17.secured by the pivots 18 to the tops of the posts 5. The frame 16 isadapted to turn from its folded position shown in Fig. 3, upwardly Thebase of and outwardly about the pivots 18 to an inverted horizontalposition as shown in Fig. 2 and because of the extension arms 7 theframe 16 is materially raised wheninverted and lies above the invertedposition of the seat frame 7.

As Will be noted from the above, the foot frame 10 is carried upon theseat frame 7 and the bed frame 16, both the latter being separatelypivoted on the frame -l-5 on the housing structure. As a result itsmovement and position are controlled by the movement and position of theframes T and 16, which are in turn related by their connection to theframe 10. The structure formed by the three frames 7 10, and 16 istherefore movable about the pivots 9 and 18 and the proportions oftheseveral members are such thatat the conclusion of the movementaboutthe pivots the two .bedframes l0 and 16 are alinedin horizontalpositionabove the seat frame 7 as Shown in 2. In order to preventutoofar a movement of the frames and stabilize them in perfect alinement, abridge, comprising arms 21 rigidly fined to the sides of frame 10 andjoinedby the bar 22 on theunder side of the frame 10 is arranged tocontact With the-upper side of the inverted seat frame. Another effectof this connection as-clearly shown-in Fig. 2 is that it constitutesthe+seat frame an extension, rigid against downwardpressures, of theouter or foot frame: 10. That is, in extended position the inner end ofthe foot fame .10 is supported through :the seat frame 7, upon the pivot,9; and the; main framelfi sup portedin horizontal. position upon itsown pivoted .c0nnectio,n and by its pivotal conn,ection;- 14 With-thefootframe 10. The bridge also functions .to prevent lateral spreadingorcollapse theside members of the main and, foot frames.

Formingthe rear of the sofa is the frame 2+ which. is suitablyMPhOlStQTQd in frontand is connected to :thefootframe .10 by pivots 26.The ,back frame, is carried forward in the. unfoldingv movementaof theframes and is retained under the end of the foot frame by a link 27.pivotcd .to the back frame and slotted .over .a pin28 on the footfraine.

lVEeans, are provided for supporting the outer end .of the frames in theextended no tion. The arms12 fixed to the. seat frame are extended,forwardly, in the inverted po itionof the frame as shownin Fig. 2. flegufil is pivoted on the :endof each arm 12, and a link 32 is pivotedto O21Cll.lg;1..11Cl the outer end of the footfran'ie. The lin {S 32thus support the outer end of the foot frame andelfect the needfulfolding of the legs 31 when the frames are turned into the housingstructure. It is to be noted-that the legrlink-arm structure connectingthe outer ends of the foot and seat frames supplements the-pivot-and-bridge connections in producing a bed frame of unusualstrength and rigidity Without sacrifice of light construction. when theframes are extended, the legs automatically position themselves,immediately behind the back frame 24 Which hangs free from contact withthe floor under the end of the foot frame and in front of the legs andlinks. Preferably the bottom front edges of the legs are provided withcurved arms 335 530 that in the folding up movement of the bed, the legsdovnot tend to catch under the edge of the foot frame. During thefolding movement, the back frame rides on the curved arm 33,u11til atthe end .of the movement it rest-s. againstthe end of the legstructureas shown-in Fig.3. To prevent lateral rocking of the leg structurathelegs arepreferably connected at their lower ends by a transverse bar34:.

In the folded position of the parts the extension arms 12 restonshonldcrs 38, fixed on the housingat the rear.

There is a decidedadvantage in the arrangement for supporting thefoot ofthe bed, just explained. No intermediate legs are needed andinequalities in the floor or floor coverings cause no trouble.

Means are providedfor balancing the weight of the framesso that only asmall effort is neededto fold or unfold them. An extension arm 37 ispivoted on each side of the main frame 16 andcoil springs 38 of suitable..;rength connect these arms to fittinpjs 39 on the housingstructure.The location of thearmsl? and the litti-ngs39 such 1 rings 38ers undertension in both and extended positions of the frames. t top pins40support and position the arm in the extended position 01": thebedframe, and in the folded position, thestop pin -11 performs ,a likefunction. The purpose of the pivoted arms is to increase the lever-armon Which the springs act in both pos tions of the bed frame. In thefolded position as seen in Fig. 3, the spring tends to initiate theunfolding movement and as seenin Fig. 2 the spring tends to initiate thefolding movement of the frames. Preferably a second spring 4-2 on eachside connects the main frame 16 to (the cross rail 22., llh lattersprings are placed under tensirui :during the,unfolding movement of theframe: and help to counterbalance nearly allyof the Weight of theunfolding frames,

Pivoted, to the head end of the .main frame is the head frame 13,,thepivotal connection forming a knuckle joint 4 1 shown in ll A link 25connects the head. frame to an arm fixed on the foot frame so thatmovement of the head vframe is harmonized With the movement of the otherframes. In the folded position of the parts. the head frame extendsvertically downwardly'from the end of the main frame at the front of thehousing structure. When the frames are unfolded the head frame isautomatically moved into a horizontal position, further downwardmovement being prevented by the knuckle joint. Fixed on the end of thehead frame is a relatively high head. board 4'7. In the folded positionof the parts, this head board extends horizontally across the bottom ofthe housing structure aiding in the retention of the bedding andmattress but in the unfolded position, it forms a panel substantiallyfilling the upper end of the housing, in which position it not onlyimproves the appearance of the structure but also prevents displacementof the pillows and falling of articles over the edge.

A top board 48 is pivoted to the housing structure, and in the foldedposition of the parts overlies the upper edge of the back frame, footframe and mattress.

A foot board 49 is attached to the end of the foot frame 10 by L-shapedpieces 51. A spring 52 retains the foot board in upright position on thefoot frame as shown in Fig. 2, or holds it resiliently against themattress to retain the latter in position on the foot frame as shown inFig. 3. The mattress is secured to the spring fabric 54k carried by thebed frames in any suitable manner and upon folding of the frames thehead end of the mattress is doubled against the head board as shown inFig. 3, the mattress then lying behind the back frame, below the seatand behind the vertically disposed head frame, as shown in Fig. Owing tothis disposition of the frames, the mattress may be of full standardthickness which with the spring provides a bed of unusual comfort.

I claim:

1. A sofa bed comprising a housing structure, a main bed frame arrangedin said housing structure, a seat frame arranged in said housingstructure, a foot frame pivotally connected to both said seat and mainframes, a head frame pivotally arranged upon the main frame, a linkconnecting the head and foot frames, and a leg pivotally connected tothe seat and foot frames for supporting the extended frames.

2. A sofa bed comprising a housing structure, a foot frame arranged insaid structure in an upright position and adapted to be extended tohorizontal position, a back frame pivoted directly to and supported bysaid foot frame in both positions thereof and a slotted linkadditionally connecting the foot and back frame.

3. A sofa bed comprising a housing structure, a main bed frame arrangedin said housing structure, a foot frame pivotally connected to said mainframe and occupying an upright position when folded and a horizontalposition when unfolded, a back frame supported by said foot frame inboth position-s thereof, a seat frame mounted on pivots fixedrespectively on said housing structure and on said foot frame, and a legpivotally connected to said seat and foot frames for supporting saidfoot frame in the horizontal position.

f. sofa bed comprising a housing structure, an invertible seat framepivoted on said. housing structure, a foot frame pivoted to said seatframe, and a bridge across said foot frame to brace the sides thereofand engaging said seat frame to stabilize the two frames when the seatframe is inverted.

VA sofa bed comprising a housing structure, an invertible seat framemounted on pivots fixed on said housing structure, a foot frame havingfixed pivots ournalled in said seat frame, a bridge across said footframe to brace the sides thereof and engaging said seat frame tostabilize the two frames when the seat frame is inverted, and a legpivot-ally connected to said seat and foot frames.

6. A sofa bed comprising a housing structure, an invertible seat framepivoted on said housing structure, a foot frame pivoted to said seatframe, a bridge across said foot frame to brace the sides thereof andengaging said seat frame to stabilize the two frames when the seat frameis inverted, a back franie pivotally supported solely by said footframe, and means for positioning said back frame in the folded positionof the frames and for retaining said back frame below the foot frame inthe extended position of the frames.

'7. A sofa bed comprising a housing structure, an invertible seat framepivoted on said housing structure, a foot frame pivoted to said seatframe, a bridge across said foot frame to brace the sides thereof andengaging said seat frame to stabilize the two frames when the seat frameis inverted, a back frame pivoted to said foot frame, and a leg forsupporting the foot frame when extended and for positioning the backframe when the frames are folded.

8. A sofa bed comprising a housing structure, an invertible scat framepivoted on said housing structure, a foot frame pivoted to said seatframe, means on. said foot frame adapted to engage said seat frame tostabilize the two frames when the seat frame is inverted, a back framepivoted to the foot frame, and a leg for supporting the foot frame andfor positioning the back frame.

9. A sofa bed comprising a housing structure, an invertible seat framepivoted on said housing structure, a foot frame pivoted to said seatframe, means on said foot frame adapted to engage said seat frame tostabilize the two frames when the seat frame is inverted, a back framepivoted to the foot frame, a leg for supporting the foot frame,

and means on said leg for moving thezbaekz housingstructure, afoot framepivoted to frame, to position against the end of the leg.

\YhQlItllQ parts are folded.

10. A sofa bed comprising a housing StI'UCw ture, an invertibleseatframe pivoted on said housing structure, a footframe pivoted to saidseat frame, means on said footframe ;adapted to engage said seat frameto stabils ize the tWo framesivhen the seat frame is inverted, a mainbed frame pivotally connected to said housing structure and to said footframe, a head frame pivoted to the main frame, and a link connectingsaid head and foot frames.

11. A sofa bed comprising a housing structure, an invertible seat framepivoted on said said ,seat-i frame, means on said foot frame adapted toengage said seat frame to stabilize the twoframes Whenthe seat isinverted, a

anain bed frame pivotally connected to said housing structure and tosaid foot frame, a

head frame pivoted to the main frame, and a head board fixed on saidhead frame and mthe folded pos tion of said frames extendinghorizontally across the base of said housing structure to retain thebedding and mattress against the main frame.

In testimony Whereof, I have hereunto set my. hand.

WILLIAM L. MURPHY.

